Coronavirus In Colorado: Gov. Jared Polis Announces New Measures To Help Coloradans

DENVER (CBS4) - Gov. Jared Polis held a news conference Friday morning announcing multiple new details about the way the state is handling the coronavirus outbreak. Included among those, Polis announced he is suspending a state rule which blocked restaurants from offering alcohol in their takeout and delivery service.

Colorado is also taking action at the state level to provide relief -- beyond the federal government's actions -- for evictions, foreclosures and utilities. The federal government is suspending foreclosures and evictions for 60 days.

Polis asked all utility companies to suspend service cutoffs in the state.

He also extended enrollment to sign up for healthcare coverage for those who have lost their job during the economic crisis, and requested a 90 day deferment of payment for consumer loans, like bank and car loans.

Also, through executive order, he asked law enforcement resources to not be used to enforce eviction orders.

"We can't ask people to stay at home if we're not giving them to tools they need to keep their home. Whether they're renting or have mortgage payments. If people are going to stay in their home they need to have a home," Polis said. "The spread of the virus was not your fault. You should not lose your home or utilities because a restaurant was forced to close down to prevent Coloradans from dying."

Polis also announced new tax relief measures which extend the income payment deadline to July with no interest. A new economic council was also announced to help navigate Colorado's future following the coronavirus pandemic. Several community business leaders serve on that council.

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